Listen to this articlefěngyù
讽谕
By “key concepts in Chinese thought and culture” we mean concepts and keywords or phrases the Chinese people have created or come to use that are fundamentally pertinent to Chinese philosophy, humanistic spirit, way of thinking, and values.
fěngyù 讽谕
Subtle Admonition
指文学作品借用一定事例或思想，含蓄婉转地向统治者传达民情民风、批评时政，从而使统治者能够接受讽谏，革除政弊。“讽”是指讽谏、劝诫，要求诗文中的批评语言含蓄婉转，“谕”是晓谕、表明，文章主旨最终要归结为劝鉴、批评。也就是说，它实际包含密不可分的两方面：一是文学的表达方式（“讽”要婉转含蓄），二是文学的社会功能（“晓谕”统治者）。“讽谕说”由汉代学者解释《诗经》时总结提出，儒家以此倡导文学对朝廷教化和社会民风的干预作用，将其视为文学的特殊使命。唐代诗人白居易大量创作讽谕诗，强化诗歌创作的社会功能，推进了这一文学传统，对后世文学创作影响很大。
The term refers to the use of allegories to convey popular mood and public opinion and make critical comments on state affairs to the ruler in a tactful manner in the hope to persuade him to correct wrong policies. Feng (讽) represents making critical but persuasive comments subtly through poetry or prose; yu (喻) means delivering an explicit message. Such literary writing is intended to be both critical and persuasive; and it has two integral aspects, namely, a subtle literary way of expression as required by feng, and its social function of sending explicit messages to the ruler as required. The theory of subtle admonition was advocated by scholars of the Han Dynasty based on their interpretation of The Book of Songs. Confucian scholars from then on promoted the use of subtle admonition to influence decision-making of the ruler and social mores in a literary way. Bai Juyi, a poet of the Tang Dynasty, wrote many such poems, further reinforcing the social function of poetry and advancing this literary tradition, which had great impact on literary creation of later generations.
引例 Citations:
◎或以抒下情而通讽谕，或以宣上德而尽忠孝。（班固《两都赋序》）
（有些作品表达臣民的思想感情同时也希望由此将其中的讽喻传达给君王，有些作品则是宣扬君主的恩德同时引导臣民克尽忠孝义务。）
Some literary works use subtle admonition to convey what the subjects think and feel, in the hope that the subtle advice could reach the ruler, whereas other works expound the kindness and benevolence of the ruler so as to guide the populace to fulfilling their duties and obligations. (Ban Gu: Preface to “Essays on Chang’an and Luoyang”)
◎古之为文者，上以纫王教，系国风；下以存炯戒，通讽谕。（白居易《策林·六八·议文章》）
（古人写文章，往大了说是为了阐明朝廷教化与社会民风的关联；往小了说是保存谏戒、传达讽喻。）
Writings by ancient scholars could be said that at a higher level they aimed at explaining some kind of link between the ideas of the ruling court and popular sentiment in society. At a more practical level, they sent a clear message of advice to the rulers through allegories. (Bai Juyi: Collection of Essays in Preparation for the Final Round of the Imperial Exam)
